powder

Most of us are tempted to reach for the compact to ward off shine, but the last thing you want is to create a cake-y mess as a result. Whether you choose pressed or loose powder, CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey has discovered a foolproof method for maintaining a matte look. All you have to do is apply it once — the right way.

• The basics: Bailey recommends using a light formula that matches your skin tone in the morning, concentrating your application on the centre of your face. "Most people say put powder in the T-zone, but really it's more like the middle zone," he explains. Sweep product on your forehead, chin, and nose, and don't forget the area around the nose.
• For touch-ups: Carry blotting papers instead of a pressed powder compact to avoid caking on more product during the day.
• Insider tip #1: Putting powder on the cheeks can draw attention away from your laugh lines.
• Insider tip #2: If you are planning to have your picture taken, powder the entire face. Then use highlighter along your jawline to bring out a subtle shine.
• Insider tip #3: Bailey also likes to put powder on the inner eyes. Just use a clean eyeshadow brush to cover lids and help eye makeup last.

Source: Flickr user Jonathan Kos-Read

A common makeup mishap is visible powder marks. Many celebs have had it happen to them on the red carpet, including Uma Thurman, Nicole Kidman and Ashley Judd, but chalky-looking makeup is something you definitely want to avoid on your wedding day. Here are our top tips for powder perfection . . .

Go sheer: In lieu of using a white or tinted powder, go with a translucent or sheer loose powder that's been finely milled, which is less easy to detect. Avoid anything too matte or with a full-coverage formulation. Remember: the purpose of a powder is to lightly set makeup and reduce shine, not mask the skin.

Soak it in: Before applying powder, apply any cream- or liquid-based items (moisturiser, foundation, etc.) first to avoid any clumping or caking, allowing the products to completely dry pre-powdering. Also, don't be afraid to use oil-blotting papers before and after your powder to soak up any excess moisture.

More tips . . .

Birthday girl Kim Kardashian has been in the spotlight long enough to know a thing or two about makeup. She even declared what she thought to be the worst makeup faux pas, so bad she called it “the worst thing on the planet.” The offending beauty crime? “I hate when women wear the wrong foundation colour,” she told the Toronto Sun. She was in Toronto to help launch FusionBeauty Coloreuticals collection and revealed her own simple skincare routine: using cleanser, toner and moisturiser by Perfect Skin™. And her can’t-leave-home-without makeup product is blotting paper or powder. So much beauty insight from Kim! But she didn’t say anything about her naked W cover or that silver body paint — the pictures say more than enough!

Poor Uma Thurman. Not only is this the world's most unflattering photo of her (luckily we know what a gorgeous sexbomb she really is) but she's also had a run-in with Mr. Powder. Uh-oh. Someone's in trouble.

While we're still unsure as to why someone clearly as beautiful as as her even needs makeup, we guess that she's an excellent reminder of the perils of powder if applied badly. I empathise. Something like this has happened to most people at some point or another, but luckily there are no paps hanging around outside my building so the evidence has disappared. Because this has happened to both Uma and Nicole Kidman in recent years, we're thinking a quick Powder Puffing 101 is needed. Here goes:

TIP #1: Use a setting powder instead of a mineral powder. Setting powders have more pigment, so you're less likely to get that "white out" effect.

TIP #2: Take a picture of yourself before you head out. If you know you're going to be photographed, this will help show you any white, so-no-hot spots.

TIP #3: Blend, blend, blend. Even once your powder looks pretty even, take a couple of extra seconds to fully pat or sweep your powder down into your skin. Doing so will help it last longer.

The signature feminine silhouette of Alberta Ferretti's designs continued through to the hair for the Spring '11 beauty look. Models' strands draped loosely over their shoulders in a natural fashion. The hair wasn't too done or overly-styled with product, it had a more matte texture and a bohemian tousle running throughout, complete with, you-guessed-it, a flyaway or two. So. On. Trend. Right. Now. Lazy girls rejoice. It was paired with a simple makeup palette: powdery matte skin with a golden radiance on the cheekbone, nude lips and then a statement lime green eye that was speckled with gold. It's similar to the Balenciaga Fall '10 brows in colour; try blending MAC Eye Shadows in Swimming and Sunny Spot ($32) for a similar look. LOVE.

UPDATED: Word up. The exact shade that makeup maestro Lucia Pieroni used was in fact MAC Eye Shadow in Juxt ($32), coupled with a hint of MAC Pigment in Vanilla ($39) in the centre and inner V's of the lid. Go. Buy. Love.

With models gracing the catwalk in top-to-toe fluoro, the makeup palette had to be a pretty low-key affair at Christopher Kane. The palette was minimal to the max with the girls' faces being prepped and primed and dusted with a coating of powder. The models upper lash line was filled in with liner, but both sets of lashes were left bare. Brows were defined but with powder, following through on the texture of the face, and the lip was a rosy pink hue. The hair was brushed backwards, away from models' faces so that there was no part line, then it draped over their shoulders with a loose wave running throughout. Do you like the simplistic styling?